The University of South Asia, Lahore Act 2005

^{^[1]}THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ASIA, LAHORE ACT 2005

(Act IX of 2005)

[9 July 2005]

An Act to provide for the establishment of the University of South Asia, Lahore.

Preamble.– Whereas it is expedient to provide for the establishment of the University of South Asia, Lahore in the private sector and matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto;

It is hereby enacted as follows:-

1. Short title and commencement.– (1) This Act may be called the University of South Asia, Lahore Act 2005.

(2) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.– In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context–

(a) “Academic Council” means the Academic Council of the University;

(b) “Authority” means any of the Authorities of the University specified in section 14;

(d) “Chancellor” means the Governor of the Punjab;

(e) “Chairperson of Department” means the head of a teaching department;

(f) “Company” means the Gateway Technologies (Pvt.) Limited;

(g) “Dean” means the Chairman of the Board of a Faculty;

[2][(h) “Department” means a teaching department established, maintained, administered, or recognized by the University in the manner prescribed by the Board;]

(i) “Faculty” means a faculty of the University;

(j) “Government” means the Government of the Punjab;

(k) “Higher Education Commission” means the Higher Education Commission set up by the Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002;

(l) “Prescribed” means prescribed by Statutes, Regulations or Rules made under this Act;

(m) “Registrar” means the Registrar of the University;

(n) “Schedule” means Schedule to the Act;

(o) “Search Committee” means a Search Committee set up for making recommendations for appointment of Vice Chancellor;

(p) “Statutes”, “Regulations” and “Rules” mean respectively the Statutes, the Regulations and the Rules made or deemed to have been made under this Act;

(q) “Teachers” include Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and Lecturers engaged whole time by the University and such other persons as may be declared to be Teachers by Regulations;

(r) “University” means the University of South Asia, Lahore constituted under this Act;

(s) “University Teacher” means a whole time teacher appointed and paid by the University, or recognized by the University as such; and

(t) “Vice Chancellor” means the Vice Chancellor of the University.

3. Establishment of the University.– (1) There shall be established a University to be called the University of South Asia, Lahore in the private sector with its campus located at Lahore.

(2) The University shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property and shall, by the said name, sue and be sued.

(3) The University shall consist of the following namely-

(a) the Chancellor, the Chairman and members of the Board of Governors and the Vice Chancellor;

(b) the members of the authorities of the University established under section 14;

(c) all University teachers and persons recognized as students of the University in accordance with terms prescribed from time to time; and

(d) all other full time officers and members of the staff of the University.

4. Functions and powers of the University.– The functions and powers of the University shall be–

(a) to provide for instruction and training in―

^{^[3]}[(i) Faculties of Computer Sciences and Information Technology, Management Sciences, Commerce, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, Art and Fashion Design, Engineering and Technology, Allied Health Sciences, Sciences, and Food and Culinary Sciences;

(ii) such other branches of learning as the Board may determine with the approval of the Chancellor:

Provided that in case of medical and engineering education, approval of the Pakistan Medical Commission and Pakistan Engineering Council respectively shall be a prerequisite;]

(b) to provide for research, demonstration and other services, and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge;

(c) to hold examinations in a manner as may be determined by the Government and confer on or award degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions to persons who have passed its examinations;

(d) to select and promote faculties;

(e) to prescribe courses of studies;

(f) to establish and support other facilities for education, training and research; and

^{^[4]}[(g) to decide teaching methods and strategies including virtual teaching, on-campus and, online, distance learning etc., in a such manner as prescribed by the Board to ensure the most effective education and training programs;]

^{^[5]}[(h) to institute programs for the exchange of students and teachers between the University and other universities, educational institutions and research organizations, inside as well as outside Pakistan;

(i) to affiliate and disaffiliate educational institutions under prescribed conditions as may be determined by the Board;

(j) to inspect colleges and other educational institutions affiliated or seeking affiliation with it;

(k) to accept the examinations passed and the period of study spent by students of the University at other universities and places of learning equivalent to such examinations and periods of study in the University, as it may prescribe, and to withdraw such acceptance on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Board;

(l) to appoint members of the various bodies and committees as the Board may determine for instructional and co-curricular activities and admit students of the University and its constituent units;

(m) to regularize any difficulty incurred previously.]

5. University open to all.– The University shall be open to persons of either sex of whatever religion, race, creed, colour or domicile who are academically qualified for admission to the courses of study offered by the University, and no person shall be denied the privileges of the University on any of such grounds.

6. Jurisdiction.– (1) The jurisdiction of the University shall be restricted to the Province of the Punjab.

^{^[6]}[(2) The University shall not open any sub-campus or affiliate any other educational institution for a period of ten years from the commencement of this Act after which period it may have sub-campuses and or affiliate any other educational institutions with the approval of the Chancellor.]

7. Chancellor.– (1) The Governor of the Punjab shall be the Chancellor of the University.

(2) The Chancellor or his nominee shall preside at the convocations of the University.

(3) Every proposal to confer an honorary degree shall be subject to confirmation by the Chancellor.

(4) The Chancellor shall have the power to assent to the Statutes submitted to him by the Board or refer them back to the Board for reconsideration.

8. Inspection and inquiry.– (1) The Chancellor may cause an inspection or inquiry to be made in respect of any matter connected with the affairs of the University.

(2) The Chancellor shall communicate to the Board his views with regard to the result of the inspection or inquiry and shall, after ascertaining the views of the Board, advise the Board on the action to be taken by it.

(3) The Board of Governors shall, within such time as may be specified by the Chancellor, communicate to him such action as has been taken as a result of the inspection or inquiry.

(4) Where the Board does not, within the time specified, take action to the satisfaction of the Chancellor, the Chancellor may issue such directions as he thinks fit and the Board shall comply with all such directions.

(5) The Chancellor may, on the recommendation of a Committee constituted by him and comprising a nominee of the Board, a Judge of the Lahore High Court to be nominated by the Chief Justice of the said Court and a Professor Emeritus or Vice Chancellor, take appropriate action against the University by appointing an administrator who shall exercise the powers of the Board to run the affairs of the University till such time as may be specified:

Provided that no action shall be taken unless the Chairman of the Board is afforded an opportunity of being heard.

(6) The Government may make Rules to give effect to the provisions of sub-section (5).

(7) The Chancellor shall have the authority to annul any decision or action of the Board, which he thinks was taken against the interest of academic excellence, religious and cultural ideology and national integrity.

9. Vice Chancellor.– ^{^[7]}[(1) The Vice Chancellor shall be an eminent scholar of national repute and shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Search Committee on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.]

(2) The Vice Chancellor shall perform such functions as are assigned to him by the Board.

10. Appointments.– The University may appoint such persons in its services as may be necessary on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

11. University Fund.– There shall be a fund to be known as the University of South Asia, Lahore Fund which shall vest in the University and to which shall be credited all sums received by the University.

12. Budget, audit and accounts.– The budget of the University shall be approved and its accounts shall be maintained and audited in such manner as may be prescribed by the Board.

13. Officers of the University.– The following shall be the officers of the University:-

(a) the Chancellor;

(b) the Vice Chancellor;

(d) the Chairperson of the teaching department;

(e) the Registrar;

(f) the Treasurer;

(g) the Controller of examinations; and

(h) such other persons as may be prescribed by the Statutes or Regulations to be the officers of the University.

14. Authorities of the University.– The following shall be the Authorities of the University:-

(a) the Board of Governors;

(b) the Academic Council;

(d) the Board of Advanced Studies and Research;

(e) the Selection Board;

(f) the Finance and Planning Committee; and

(g) such other Authorities as may be prescribed by the Statutes and the Regulations.

15. Board of Governors.– (1) The Board of Governors of the University shall consist of the following:-

(i) the Chief Executive of the Company;

(ii) Directors of the Company subject to a maximum of eight Directors;

(iii) the Chairman, Higher Education Commission or his nominee not below the rank of a Director;

(iv) a Vice Chancellor of a public sector University in the Punjab nominated by the Chancellor; and

(v) Secretary to Government of the Punjab, Education Department or his nominee not below the rank of an Additional Secretary.

^{^[8]}[vi) the Vice Chancellor of the University.]

(2) The Chief Executive of the Company shall be the Chairman of the Board.

(3) Members of the Board, other than ex-officio members, shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment on the expiry of their term of office.

(4) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be one half of the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one; provided that at least two members shall be official members.

16. Powers and duties of the Board.– (1) The administration and management of the affairs of the University shall vest in the Board.

(2) The Board shall forward the draft of Statutes to the Chancellor for approval.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the aforementioned powers, the Board may exercise powers and perform functions as follows:-

(a) to formulate or approve the principles, policies and plans governing the activities and operations of the University so as to facilitate research, teaching and other academic work;

(b) to make and, from time to time, revise Statutes, Regulations and Rules for the efficient and effective operations of the University;

(c) to create a component of the University such as faculties, departments, institutes under its jurisdiction subject to clause (ii) of sub-section (a) of section 4;

(d) to constitute such standing committees, councils and other administrative or academic advisor bodies as it deems necessary, and review their work; and to create such academic or administrative posts as it may deem necessary and to approve appointments to such posts as it may specify;

(e) to hold, control and administer the property, funds and resources of the University and raise funds for the purpose of the University upon such security as may be required under regulations;

(f) to undertake the responsibility for the financial viability of the University including responsibility for ensuring effectiveness of its operations, their continuity and preservation of the autonomy of the University;

(g) to consider and pass through a resolution the annual report, plan of work, statement of accounts and the annual budget estimates;

(h) to call for and consider reports relating to the activities of the University and to direct the Vice Chancellor to furnish information relating to any matter specified by the Board; and

(i) to take all such initiatives as it may consider necessary or desirable for the efficient and effective management and functioning of the University.

17. Business of the Board.– (1) The meetings and business of the Board shall be conducted in such manner and in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed in the Regulations and until these matters are prescribed, as may be determined by the Board.

(2) No Statute, Regulation or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid by reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board.

18. Delegation of powers.– The Board may delegate to any person or a committee any of its powers, duties or functions.

19. Academic Council.– (1) The Academic Council shall consist of–

(i) the Vice Chancellor (Chairman);

(ii) all the Deans;

(iii) all the Heads of the Departments/Institutes;

(iv) all Professors and Associate Professors of the University;

(v) nominee of the Secretary Education not below the rank of Deputy Secretary;

(vi) two Associate Professors, two Assistant Professors and two Lecturers to be nominated by the Board;

(vii) three persons eminent in the fields of arts and sciences of whom at least one shall be from each category, to be nominated by the Board;

(viii) Director Academic, Higher Education Commission; and

(ix) the Registrar (Member/Secretary).

(2) Members appointed by nomination shall hold office for three years;

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Academic Council shall be one half of the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one.

20. Powers and duties of Academic Council.– (1) The Academic Council shall be the academic body of the University and shall, by the Statutes, have the powers to lay down proper standards of instruction, research, publication and examination and to regulate and promote the academic life of the University.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers and subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the Academic Council shall have the powers to–

(a) advise the Board on academic matters;

(b) regulate the conduct of teaching, research and publication;

(d) regulate the conduct and discipline of the students of the University;

(e) propose to the Board, scheme for the constitution and organization of Faculties and teaching departments;

(f) consider or formulate proposals for the planning and development of teaching and research in the University;

(g) make Regulations prescribing the courses of studies, the syllabi and the outlines of tests for all University examinations subject to the approval of the Board;

(h) regulate the award of studentships, scholarships, exhibitions, medals and prizes;

(i) frame Regulations for submission to the Board;

(j) appoint or nominate members to the various Authorities in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and

(k) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by Statutes.

21. Statutes.– Subject to the provisions of sub-section (6) of section 8 and section 22, Statutes may be made to provide for and to regulate any matter relevant to the University.

22. First Statutes.– Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, the Statutes set out in the Schedule appended to this Act shall be deemed to be the Statues made under section 21 and shall continue to remain in force until amended or repealed.

23. Regulations.– The Board may, by notification, make Regulations for the administration and management of the affairs of the University.

24. Removal of difficulties.– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the provisions of this Act, the Board may, with the approval of the Government, give such directions, not inconsistent with the said provisions, as it may consider necessary for the removal of such difficulty.

25. Savings.– On the commencement of this Act–

(i) all funds, properties, rights and interests of whatsoever kind issued, used, enjoyed, possessed, owned by or vested in the Institute of South Asia, Lahore, at the time of the commencement of this Act and all liabilities subsisting against the said Institute, shall stand transferred to the University established under this Act; and

(ii) everything done, actions taken, obligations and liabilities incurred, rights and assets acquired, persons appointed or authorized, jurisdictions or powers conferred, endowments, bequests, funds or trusts created, donations or grants made or orders issued by the Institute of South Asia, Lahore, existing immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have been respectively done, taken, incurred, acquired, appointed or authorized, conferred, created, made or issued under this Act.

26. Repeal.– The Institute of South Asia, Lahore Act, 2003 (XII of 2003), is hereby repealed.

^{^[9]}[27. Validation.– The amendments, omissions, insertions and substitutions made in this Act, shall be deemed to have been so made with effect from the commencement day of the Act.]

Schedule

(See Section 22)

The First Statutes

1. Faculties.– There shall be a faculty for a teaching department or a group of teaching departments. The University shall include the following faculties and such other faculties as may be prescribed:-

^{^[10]}[(a) Faculty of Computer Sciences and Information Technology;]

^{^[11]}[(b) Faculty of Management Sciences (Department of Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Management and Aviation Management);]

^{^[12]}[(d) Faculty of Law;]

^{^[13]}[(e) Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (Department of Arts & Media Sciences, Mass Communication, Political Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Education, English, Languages and Literature, and Psychology);]and

^{^[14]}[(f) Faculty of Art and Fashion Design (Department of Fine Arts and Architecture).

(g) Faculty of Engineering and Technology (Department of Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology);

(h) Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (Department of Physiotherapy, Radiological Sciences & Medical Imaging Technology, Aesthetics and Cosmetology, Medical Lab Technology, Healthcare Management, Public Health, Dietetics, and Nutrition Sciences);

(i) Faculty of Sciences (Department of Pharmacy, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Environmental Sciences,); and

(j) Faculty of Food and Culinary Sciences (Department of Culinary Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Hotel Management, and Food Sciences).]

2. Board of Faculty.– (1) There shall be a Board of each Faculty which shall consist of–

(a) the Dean of the Faculty;

(b) the Professors and the heads of the teaching departments in the Faculty;

(d) two teachers to be nominated by the Academic Council by reason of their specialized knowledge of the subjects which, though not assigned to the faculty, have in the opinion of the Academic Council, important bearing on the subjects assigned to the faculty;

(e) two experts in the field from outside the University to be appointed by the Board of Governors; and

(f) one member to be nominated by the Vice Chancellor.

(2) The members other than ex-officio members shall hold office for a period of three years.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board of a Faculty shall be one half of the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one.

(4) The Board of each Faculty shall, subject to the general control of the Academic Council and the Board, have the powers to-

(i) co-ordinate the teaching and research work in the subjects assigned to the faculty;

(ii) scrutinize the recommendations of the Boards of Studies comprising the faculty with regard to the appointment of paper-setters and examiners for Graduate and Postgraduate examinations and to forward the panels of suitable paper-setters and examiners for each examination to the Vice Chancellor;

(iii) consider any other academic matter relating to the faculty and to submit its report to the Academic Council;

(iv) prepare a comprehensive annual report regarding the performance of each department comprising the faculty for presentation to the Academic Council; and

(v) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

(5) There shall be a Dean of each Faculty who shall be the Chairman and Convener of the Board of Faculty.

(6) The Dean shall be appointed by the Board from amongst the three senior most professors of the faculty on the recommendations of the Vice Chancellor and shall hold office for a period of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

(7) The Dean shall present candidates for admission to degree, except honorary degrees, courses falling within the purview of the faculty.

(8) The Dean shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board on the recommendations of the Vice Chancellor.

3. Academic Departments and Heads of the Departments.– (1) There shall be an Academic Department for each subject or a group of subjects, as may be prescribed by the Regulations and each Academic Department shall be headed by a Head of Department.

(2) The Head of an Academic Department shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendations of the Vice Chancellor from amongst three senior most Professors other than a Professor already working as Dean for a period of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment; provided that in a department where there are less than three eligible Professors, the appointment shall be made from amongst the three senior most Professors and Associate Professors of the Department.

(3) The Head of the Department shall plan, organize and supervise the work of the department and shall be responsible to the Dean for the work of his department.

(4) The Head of the Department shall, under the general supervision of the Vice Chancellor and the Dean, exercise all the administrative, financial and academic powers and such other duties or powers as may be delegated to him.

(5) The heads of the departments shall prepare a comprehensive annual report regarding the performance of department at the Graduate and Postgraduate levels, Faculty research and development and submit this report to the Dean of the Faculty for his evaluation.

4. Board of Advanced Studies and Research.– (1) The Board of Advanced Studies and Research shall consist of-

(a) the Vice Chancellor (Chairman);

(b) all the Deans;

(d) one member to be nominated by the Vice Chancellor;

(e) three members from the relevant field, research Organizations and Government Departments, to be nominated by the Board; and

(f) the Registrar (Secretary).

(2) The term of office of the members of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research, other than ex-officio members, shall be three years.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research shall be one half of the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one.

5. Functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research.– The functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research shall be to–

(a) advise the Authorities on all matters connected with the promotion of advanced studies and research publication in the University;

(b) consider and report to the Authorities of research degrees in the University;

(d) appoint supervisors for Postgraduate research students and to approve titles and synopses of their thesis/dissertations;

(e) recommend panels of names of examiners for evaluation of their other research examinations; and

(f) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

6. Selection Board.– (1) The Selection Board shall consist of–

(a) the Vice Chancellor (Chairman);

(b) the Dean of the Faculty concerned;

(d) one member of the Board of Governors to be nominated by the Board;

(e) one eminent scholar to be nominated by the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(f) one expert in the subject to be nominated by the Secretary to Government of the Punjab, Education Department.

(2) The Registrar shall be the Secretary of the Selection Board.

(3) The members, other than ex-officio members, shall hold office for a period of three years.

(4) The quorum for a meeting of the Selection Board shall be four.

(5) No member, who is a candidate for the posts to which appointment is to be made, shall take part in the proceedings of the Selection Board.

(6) In selection of candidates for the posts of Professors and Associate Professors, the Selection Board shall co-opt or consult three experts in the subject concerned and in selecting candidates for other teaching posts, two experts in the subject concerned, to be nominated by the Vice Chancellor from a standing list of experts for each subject approved by the Board on the recommendation of the Selection Board and revised from time to time.

7. Functions of the Selection Board.– The functions of the Selection Board shall be to–

(a) consider the applications and recommend to the Board of Governors the names of suitable candidates for appointment to teaching and other posts, as the case may be, and recommend suitable salary for the candidate concerned; and

(b) consider all cases of promotion or selection of officers of the University and recommend the names of suitable candidates for such promotion or selection to the Board.

8. Finance and Planning Committee.– (1) The Finance and Planning Committee shall consist of–

(a) the Vice Chancellor (Chairman);

(b) all the Deans;

(d) one member of the Academic Council to be nominated by the Academic Council;

(e) one representative each from Education Department and Finance Department of the Government of the Punjab not below the rank of Deputy Secretary;

(f) Director Planning, Higher Education Commission;

(g) the Registrar; and

(h) one nominee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

(2) The term of office of the nominated members shall be three years.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Finance and Planning Committee shall be five.

9. Functions of the Finance and Planning Committee.– The functions of the Finance and Planning Committee shall be to―

(a) prepare the annual statement of accounts and propose annual budget estimates and advise the Board thereon;

(b) review periodically the financial position of the University;

(d) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

^{^[1]}This Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly on 18 June 2005; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 6 July 2005; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 9 July 2005, pages 223 to 231.

^{^[2]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(h) “Department” means a teaching department maintained and administered, or recognized by the University in the manner prescribed;”

^{^[3]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(i) Computer Sciences, Management Sciences, Commerce, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, Art and Fashion Design; and

(ii) such other branches of learning as the Board may determine with the approval of the Chancellor given on the recommendation of a committee constituted by the Education Department:

Provided that in case of medical and engineering education, approval of the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council and Pakistan Engineering Council respectively shall be a pre-requisite;”

^{^[4]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(g) to decide teaching methods and strategies in order to ensure the most effective educational and training programs.”

^{^[5]}Inserted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021).

^{^[6]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(2) The University shall not open any sub-campus or affiliate any other educational institution for a period of ten years from the commencement of this Act after which period it may have sub-campuses with the approval of the Chancellor.”

^{^[7]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(1) The Vice Chancellor shall be an eminent scholar of national repute and shall be appointed by the Government on the recommendation of the Search Committee on such terms and conditions as may be determined on the recommendations of the Board.”

^{^[8]}Inserted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021).

^{^[9]}Inserted new Section by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021).

^{^[10]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(a) Faculty of Computer Sciences;”

^{^[11]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(b) Faculty of Management Sciences (Department of Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing and Management);”

^{^[12]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(d) Faculty of Law (Department of LLB Programme only);”

^{^[13]}Substituted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021); for the following:

“(e) Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (Department of Arts & Media Sciences, Mass Communication, Political Science, Statistics, Mathematics and Education);”

^{^[14]}Inserted by the University of South Asia, Lahore (Amendment) Act 2021 (XXXI of 2021).